US F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to be delivered to Ukraine in 18 months

The US Department of Defence has again raised the issue of transferring the fourth generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to Ukraine. The topic was discussed at a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Here's What We Know

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin stressed that deliveries of the fourth generation fighters would take about 18 months. But that does not mean that Ukraine will receive the aircraft by the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2024. We are talking about 18 months from the approval of deliveries.

Earlier, US authorities said that the aircraft are not a priority for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as there are more important needs that must be met in order to succeed on the battlefield. The US Secretary of Defence, during his introduction to the Senate Armed Services Committee the previous day, repeated this thesis.

However, Lloyd Austin believes that the Ukrainian Air Force may receive not only F-16s but also other fourth generation aircraft in the future. For this purpose the USA cooperates with partners and allies.

Source: Senate Armed Services Committee